Apparatus and data processing apparatus

ABSTRACT

An apparatus includes a heat generating component; a heat radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat generating component and radiates heat; a fan that sends air toward the heat radiating member; a housing incorporating the heat generating component, the heat radiating member and the fan, and including a first opening that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating member to an outside and a second opening that exposes an air inlet portion of the heat radiating member in which air from the fan enters; and a cover member that is detachably attached to the housing and covers the second opening.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. Section 119 of Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-346447, filed Dec. 22, 2006, and Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-222127, filed Aug. 16, 2006, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties into this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an apparatus that has a built-in heat generating component, and to a data processing apparatus that has a built-in heat generating component and performs data processing.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are various types of apparatuses having a built-in component that generates heat when in use. Although some of them perform their intended function by generating heat, it is not desirable for the other apparatuses to generate heat by the built-in component. Thus, some techniques are devised to suppress rise in temperature of the apparatus due to heat generated by the built-in heat generating component. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2002-217343 and Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-55591 disclose that a heat sink and a heat radiating member is used to radiate heat generated by a power transistor, while Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2006-135073 discloses the structure that heat generated by a voice coil motor is conducted to a housing of a hard disc drive via heat radiating fins.

Additionally, another typical technique for suppressing heat is that a fan is provided in an apparatus to generate airflow, thereby cooling down a heat generating component. For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-321287 discloses the structure in which heat generated by a heat generating component is conducted via a heat pipe to heat radiating fins. Airflow that is generated by rotation of a fan absorbs heat while passing through between the heat radiating fins and then warmed air is discharged from the apparatus.

Use of such a structure is widespread as it is effective in suppressing rise in temperature of a heat-generating component.

However, such a structure entails the following problems. Firstly, heat radiating fins are likely to be covered in dust at the inlet thereof, which blocks air flow and thus deteriorates cooling capacity thereof, resulting in rise in temperature of a heat-generating component. Consequently, this may disable normal operation of the heat-generating component and shorten the life of its peripheral components as well as the heat component. Secondly, even without such abnormal conditions, if an apparatus is configured to adjust cooling capacity by changing the speed of a fan, the increased speed of the fan for securing cooling capacity will make noise of the fan larger.

Meanwhile, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2005-321287 deals with the first problem, by providing a tilted portion formed at the inlet of the heat radiating fins, aiming at moving dust by causing dust to be carried by air flow from a fan along the tilted portion and discharged from the apparatus.

Although provision of the tilted portion may delay the time for the dust to be accumulated, this does not substantially solve the problem.

Additionally, a heat radiating member and a fan are typically disposed inside an apparatus while only an outlet, from which air passed through the heat radiating member is discharged, is exposed to be seen from outside. On the other hand, dust is accumulated at the inlet of the heat radiating member and thus, in order to remove accumulated dust, the apparatus must be disassembled, which is rather difficult to perform.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and provides an apparatus and a data processing apparatus that have a structure enabling easy recovery of coolability downgraded due to accumulated dust therein.

An apparatus according to the invention having:

a heat generating component;

a heat radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat generating component and radiates heat;

a fan that sends air toward the heat radiating member;

a housing incorporating the heat generating component, the heat radiating member and the fan, and including a first opening that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating member to an outside and a second opening that exposes an air inlet portion of the heat radiating member in which air from the fan enters; and

a cover member that is detachably attached to the housing and covers the second opening.

As the apparatus of the invention is provided with the second opening that exposes the air inlet portion in which air from the fan enters and the cover member that is detachably attached to the housing and covers the second opening, cleaning of the air inlet portion is made easy, which enables easy recovery of coolability downgraded due to accumulated dust in the air inlet portion.

Preferably, in the apparatus according to the invention, the cover member is manually detached.

The above feature facilitates east cleaning of the air inlet portion.

More preferably, in the apparatus according to the invention, the first opening is formed in one side of the housing and the second opening is formed in a top face of the housing.

The first opening, from which air warmed up by the heat radiating member is discharged, is desirably formed in a side of the housing (more preferably a back-facing face of the housing) so that it may not interfere with the operation of the apparatus. Meanwhile, the second opening is desirably formed in the top face so as to be easily cleaned.

Further preferably, in the apparatus according to the invention, the housing has an opening for holding the cover member, the opening being formed at a position covered by the cover member, and the cover member has a projection that engages in the opening so as to be held therein, the projection being formed on a face of the cover member facing the housing when attached to the housing.

The above structure enables easy engagement and disengagement of the cover member with and from the housing.

Also preferably, in the apparatus according to the invention, the housing has a recess that has space for a finger or a fingernail to hold the cover member attached to the housing.

Forming of such a recess facilitates easy detachment of the cover member.

Preferably, in the apparatus of this invention, the cover member is formed so as to be wider than the second opening of the housing such that the cover member overlaps an edge portion that defines the second opening.

If the cover member is wider enough to overlap the edge portion of the second opening, it is possible to prevent air from the fan from leaking out through a gap between the second opening and the cover member. It is also possible to prevent entrance of foreign matter into the apparatus through the cover member and the second opening.

Further preferably, in the apparatus according to this invention, an air guide wall is provided at each of both ends of the air inlet portion, which guides air from the fan to the air inlet portion and prevents the air from leaking out off the heat radiating member,

wherein the edge portion defining the second opening of the housing extends to a position over the air guide walls such that the second opening is restrictedly formed within an area sandwiched between the air guide walls at both ends of the air inlet portion.

As the second opening is restrictedly formed within an area sandwiched between the air guide walls, it is possible to prevent air from the fan from leaking out into the apparatus through a gap between the cover member and the air guide walls, which enhances coolability. In addition, it is possible to prevent entrance of the dust accompanying air from the fan into the apparatus.

According to another aspect of the invention, a data processing apparatus that processes data including:

a heat generating component;

a heat radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat generating component and radiates heat;

a fan that sends air toward the heat radiating member;

a housing incorporating the heat generating component, the heat radiating member and the fan, and including a keyboard for input operation arranged on a top face thereof, a first opening that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating member to outside, the first opening formed in one side thereof, and a second opening that exposes an air inlet portion of the heat radiating member in which air from the fan enters, the second opening formed in a top face thereof; and

a cover member that is detachably attached to the housing and covers the second opening.

Preferably, in the data processing apparatus according to invention, the first opening is formed in the side facing a back of the housing and the second opening is formed in the top face of the housing at a position behind the keyboard

As the first opening, from which air warmed up by the heat radiating member is discharged, is formed in a side of the housing (desirably at a back-facing face of the housing) while the second opening is formed in the top face (desirably behind the keyboard on the top face), warmed air discharged from the first opening is prevented from blowing against a user and at the same time easy cleaning is enabled.

Preferably, also in the data processing apparatus according invention, the cover member is manually detached by operation.

Further preferably, in the data processing apparatus according to invention, the fan is arranged at least partially under the keyboard and the heat radiating member is arranged at a position at the back of the keyboard, and a top face of the heat radiating member is positioned higher than a top face of the fan. The data processing apparatus is desirably provided with a metal plate that spreads over the top face of the fan and the top face of the heat radiating member and is configured such that a portion thereof for covering the top face of the heat radiating member is raised by the height of the heat radiating member. The keyboard is desirably arranged on the metal plate.

As the top face of the heat radiating member is positioned higher than that of the fan, the disposed air inlet portion when the cover member is removed is positioned relatively high, which ensures cleaning with ease. Additionally, the top face of the fan is positioned lower relative to that of the heat radiating member, the metal plate can be placed on the fan to use the metal plate as the base of the keyboard. In this case, the metal plate can serve also as an electromagnetic shield, for example, by placing circuit board thereunder. Further, the metal plate is configured such that a portion thereof for covering the top face of the high heat radiating member is not separated but raised from the rest of the metal plate, the strength of the metal plate as well as its electromagnetic shield performance is ensured.

More preferably, in the data processing apparatus according to the invention, the housing has an opening for holding the cover member, the opening being formed at a position covered by the cover member, and the cover member has a projection that engages in the opening so as to be held therein, the projection being formed on a face of the cover member facing the housing when attached to the housing. Further preferably, the housing has a recess that has space for a finger or a fingernail to hold the cover member attached to the housing.

Also, the data processing apparatus according to the invention may have a second housing, in addition to the housing as a second housing, the second housing being connected through a hinge to the first housing at the back of the first housing such that the second housing is openable and closable relative to the first housing, and has a display screen that displays an image, such as a notebook PC.

Preferably, in the data processing of this invention, the cover member is formed so as to be wider than the second opening of the housing such that the cover member overlaps an edge portion that defines the second opening.

It is also preferable that, in the data processing of this invention, an air guide wall is provided at each of both ends of the air inlet portion, which guides air from the fan to the air inlet portion and prevents the air from leaking out off the heat radiating member,

wherein the edge portion defining the second opening of the housing extends to a position over the air guide walls such that the second opening is restrictedly formed within an area sandwiched between the air guide walls at both ends of the air inlet portion.

As described above, the apparatus according to the invention can recover coolability downgraded due to accumulated dust therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook computer (hereafter referred to as note PC) when opened.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the note PC shown in FIG. 1 when closed, as viewed obliquely from its front.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the note PC shown in FIG. 1 when closed, as viewed obliquely from its back.

FIG. 4 shows a front face of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.

FIG. 5 shows a back face of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.

FIG. 6 shows a right flank of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.

FIG. 7 shows a left flank of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.

FIG. 8 shows a top face of the note PC shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 with its cover member removed therefrom.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion at the back of a keyboard on the top face of a main unit of the note PC.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fan and a portion of a heat radiating member with a top cover and a keyboard removed from the housing of the main unit.

FIG. 11 illustrates the portion of the heat radiating member as viewed at different angle from that in FIG. 10.

FIG. 12 shows a positional relationship between the fan and the heat radiating member with a metal plate removed therefrom.

FIG. 13 is a plane view of the heat radiating member.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the heat radiating member.

FIG. 15 shows heat generating components on a main circuit board.

FIG. 16 illustrates two heat generating components and a bottom face of the heat radiating member that contacts the heat generating components.

FIG. 17 shows positional relation between a CPU and a chipset different from that shown in FIGS. 15 and 16.

FIG. 18 illustrates two heat generating components, that is, the CPU and the chipset, and a bottom face of the heat radiating member that contacts the heat generating components.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bottom face of the main unit of the notebook PC.

FIG. 20 shows the bottom face of the main unit of the notebook PC shown in FIG. 19, with the cover member for closing a hard disc drive unit loading opening removed therefrom.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of an opening for accommodating the hard disk drive unit and the hard disc drive unit housed therein.

FIG. 22 is a view of the hard disk drive unit as viewed at a certain angle.

FIG. 23 is a view of the hard disk drive unit as viewed at a different angle.

FIG. 24 is a view of the hard disk drive unit as viewed at another different certain angle.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a unit side connector provided in the hard disc drive unit.

FIG. 26 shows an apparatus side connector that is to be connected with the unit side connector provided in the hard disc drive unit.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of one side of the opening in which the hard disc drive unit is housed.

FIG. 28 shows the state in which the hard disc drive is about to be housed by being placed in the correct position in the opening of the hard disc drive unit.

FIG. 29 also show the state in which the hard disc drive is about to be housed by being placed in the correct position in the opening of the hard disc drive unit.

FIG. 30 shows the state in which the hard disc drive unit with its back obliquely lifted is placed in the opening.

FIG. 31 shows a back face of the cover member for closing the opening in which the hard disc drive unit is housed.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the PC card slot 280.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the PC card slot shown in FIG. 32, with the lower cover member shown in FIG. 6 opened.

FIG. 34 compares the PC card slot (A) according to the embodiment of the notebook PC of the invention with a typical example of the conventional PC card slot (B)

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the disc drive unit with the top cover of the housing of the main unit of the notebook PC removed therefrom.

FIG. 36 shows a disc drive unit accommodating section to accommodate the disc drive unit.

FIG. 37 shows one side-end of the disc drive unit accommodating section.

FIG. 38 shows the other side-end of the disc drive unit accommodating section.

FIG. 39 shows a sheet to be spread under a sub circuit board, with the sub circuit board and a flat cable removed therefrom.

FIG. 40 shows an insulation sheet that is spread under the main and sub circuit boards with the circuit boards removed therefrom.

FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of a portion at the back of the keyboard on the top face of the main unit of the notebook PC.

FIG. 42 illustrates the same portion as shown in FIG. 41 that further exposes the air inlet portion of the heat radiating fins by removing part of the housing of the main unit.

FIG. 43 shows an air passage from the fan with the keyboard removed from the main unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Embodiment(s) of the present invention will be described below with reference to the attached drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a notebook computer 10 (hereafter referred to as a notebook PC) when opened, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the notebook PC 10 when closed, as viewed obliquely from its front, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the notebook PC 10 when closed, as viewed obliquely from its back.

The notebook PC 10 is composed of a main unit 20 and a display unit 30. The display unit 30 is connected via a hinge mechanism 40 with the main unit 20 at the back of the main unit 20 so as to be openable and closable.

The main unit 20 has various components incorporated in the housing thereof, including circuits such as CPU, a hard disc drive unit to access a CD and a DVD loaded therein, a PC card slot to access a PC card inserted therein, a memory card slot to access various kinds of memory cards inserted therein and so on.

On the top face of the main unit 20, disposed are a keyboard 21, a touchpad 22, right and left push buttons 22 b and 22 a, a fingerprint sensor 23 disposed between the push buttons 22 b and 22 a, a power button 24 disposed at the right back, plural indicator lamps 25 and plural function buttons 26 disposed at the left back.

Further disposed on the top face of the main unit 20 is a locking aperture 27 at a substantial center of the front thereof. The locking aperture 27 receives a locking claw 31 of the display unit 30, when the display unit 30 is closed to overlay the main unit 20, and the display unit 30 locks into the main unit 20 such that the display unit 30 does not easily open. To open the display unit 30, an unlocking button 32 of the display unit 30 is to be pressed to unlock the locking claw 31 and the display unit 30 is to be lifted with a hand. Additionally, a long and narrow cover member 28 extending laterally is disposed at the back of the keyboard 21 on the top face of the main unit 20, which will be described later in detail.

The display unit 30 has, in addition to the locking claw 31 and the unlocking button 32, a display screen 33 disposed at the inside thereof and facing the main unit 20 when closed. Various images are displayed on the display screen 33 in response to instructions from the CPU of the main unit 20.

The hinge mechanism 40 supports the display unit 30 such that the display unit 30 can open and close relative to the main unit 20 and can be kept opening at any degree by friction of the hinge mechanism 40.

FIG. 4 shows a front face of the notebook PC 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.

On the flank of the front of the main unit 20, audio output ports 201 a, 201 b are disposed respectively at the left and right thereof to output sound from a built-in microphone to outside the apparatus. Further, disposed are a microphone connection port 202 for connecting a microphone jack thereto, a headphone connection port 203 for connecting a headphone jack thereto, and an On/Off switch 204 for turning on/off wireless LAN function.

FIG. 5 shows a back face of the notebook PC 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.

As shown in FIG. 5, on the flank of the back of the main unit 20, disposed in the order from the right to the left are a modem circuit connecting port 205, an external monitor connecting connector 206, air outlets 207 from which air blown from a fan inside the main unit 20 is discharged, a video output terminal 208, a LAN connection terminal 209, two USB connection terminals 210 a, 210 b and a locking aperture 211 for connecting a theft-proof wire thereto.

It should be noted that in FIG. 5 heat radiating fins 241 of a heat radiating member 240 (see FIG. 11) are exposed to be seen at the back of the air outlets 207.

FIG. 6 shows a right flank of the notebook PC 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.

As shown in FIG. 6, on the flank of the right of the notebook PC 10, there are disposed an AC adapter (not shown) power cable connecting port 212, an IEEE 1394 connecting terminal 213, a USB connecting terminal 214, a media loading opening 215 in which plural types of storage media, four in the embodiment, can be inserted, and a PC card loading opening 216 in which plural PC cards are to be inserted. As will be described later, in the main unit 20, upper and lower PC card slots capable of accommodating two PC cards and having corresponding upper and lower cover members 217 and 218 are disposed inside the PC card loading opening 216. When no PC card is loaded, the cover members 217 and 218 are pressed by a spring from inside the housing of the main unit 20 so as to be closed, as shown in FIG. 6. The notebook PC card loading opening 216 is adapted to be opened in the following manner: when a PC card is inserted into the upper PC slot, the upper cover member 217 is pressed by the front end of the PC card and rotated such that the upper cover member 217 is lifted up around a top edge 217 a thereof; on the other hand, when a PC card is inserted into the lower PC slot, the lower cover member 218 is pressed by the front end of the PC card and rotated such that the lower cover member 218 goes down around a bottom edge 218 a thereof. In order to pull the inserted PC card from the PC card loading opening 216, an eject button 219 disposed next to the PC card loading opening 216 is to be pressed.

FIG. 7 shows a left flank of the notebook PC 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 when closed.

On the flank of the left of the main unit 20, arranged is an end face of a disc drive unit 220 to access a CD and a DVD loaded therein. Pressing an eject button 221 causes a tray to pop out from inside the housing of the main unit 20. Placing CD and DVD on the tray and pushing it enables the CD and DVD to be accessed by the disc drive unit 220. When removing the CD and DVD, the eject button 221 is to be pressed similarly.

Incidentally, an opening of the same shape as that of the end face of the disc drive unit 220 is formed in the housing of the main unit 20. Thus, when doing a maintenance check, the whole of the disc drive unit 220 can be pulled out from inside the housing of the main unit 20 and reinserted therein.

So far, the notebook PC 10 as a whole has been described. In the following, the details of each section of the notebook PC 10 will be described.

(Structure of Air Inlet Portion of Heat Radiating Fins)

FIG. 8 shows a top face of the notebook PC 10 shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 with its cover member removed therefrom. FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of a portion at the back of a keyboard 21 on the top face of the main unit 20 of the notebook PC 10.

An elongated cover member 28, as shown in FIG. 1, is disposed at the back of the keyboard 21 on the top face of the main unit 20. Opening the cover member 28 exposes an opening 231 formed inside the housing of the main unit 20. An air inlet portion 241 a of the heat radiating fins 241 of the heat radiating member 240 (see FIG. 11) can be seen through the opening 231. The heat radiating member 240 will be described later in detail. The air inlet portion 241 a is likely to be covered in dust because air from the fan 250 blows against it. The accumulated dust in the air inlet portion 241 a prevents air flow from the fan 250, downgrading coolability, leading to rise in temperature inside the housing of the main unit 20 and thus possibly resulting in malfunction and failure of the notebook PC 10. However, the notebook PC 10 has such a configuration that the air inlet portion 241 a can be exposed by taking off the cover member 28 to enable easy removal of dust accumulated therein. The opening 231, through which the air inlet portion 241 a of the heat radiating fins 241 can be seen, is closed by the cover member 28, whose backside is shown in FIG. 9, which has positioning claws 281 and 282 at ends thereof and locking claws 283, 284 and 285 at three separate positions at substantially center thereof.

The positioning claws 281 and 282 engage in positioning holes 232 and 233 formed in the housing of the main unit 20 while the locking claws 283, 284 and 285 respectively engage in locking holes 234, 235 and 236 formed in the housing of the main unit 20, so that the cover member 28 is attached to the housing of the main body so as to close the opening 231.

Additionally, a recess 237 with space for a finger or a nail to be placed therein is formed in the housing of the main unit 20 in order to enable easy taking off of the cover member 28 attached to the housing. Thus, the cover member 28 can be easily taken off by placing a finger or a fingernail under the recess 237 and lifting up the cover member 28.

FIG. 10 illustrates a fan and a portion of the heat radiating member 240 with a top cover and the keyboard 21 of the main unit 20 removed therefrom. FIG. 11 illustrates the portion of the heat radiating member 240 as viewed at different angle from that in FIG. 10.

A main circuit board 251 mounted with various circuit components is arranged around the fan 250. A metal plate 252 with several holes formed therein is arranged above the fan 250, the main circuit board 251, and the heat radiating member 240. A top face of the heat radiating member 240 stands higher than that of the fan 250, so that a shield portion 252 a formed in the metal plate 252 for covering the top face of the heat radiating member 240 is raised from the level of the rest of the metal plate 252.

The metal plate 252 serves as an electromagnetic shield as well as a base for the keyboard 21 (see FIG. 1) that is arranged on the metal plate 252.

FIG. 12 shows a positional relationship between the fan 250 and the heat radiating member 240 with the metal plate 252 removed therefrom.

Two kinds of LSIs, that is, what is called CPU and chipset are disposed under the heat radiating member 240. The heat radiating member 240 serves for radiating heat generated by the two LSIs, which will be described later in detail.

Air blown from the fan 250 enters the air inlet portion 241 a to reach the heat radiating fins 241 and then is warmed up while passing between the heat radiating fins 241 by absorbing heat therefrom and exits from the air outlets 207 (also see FIG. 5) formed in the flank of the back of the main unit 20.

(Structure of Heat Radiating Member)

The heat radiating member 240 includes a flat base section (hereafter referred to as “a base plate”) 242, the multiple pieces of radiating fins 241 that are fixed to and stand on the base plate 242 and a pair of arms (hereafter referred to as “arm plates”) 243, 244 that extend horizontally at both ends of the base plate 242. The arm plates 243, 244 include fasteners 243 a, 243 b, and 244 a, 244 b respectively disposed at the front and the back thereof for fastening the heat radiating member 240 with screws. Additionally, the heat radiating member 240 has a fixed section (hereafter referred to as “a fixed plate”) 245 that stands at both ends of the heat radiating fins 241 and links the both ends by extending over the heat radiating fins 241 like a bridge. The pair of arm plates 243, 244 are formed by extending the fixed plate 245.

The manufacturing process of the heat radiating member 240 is as follows: solder is applied to the bottom of each of the heat radiating fins 241 to place them on the top face of the base plate 242; then, solder is applied to the top of each of the heat radiating fins 241 to attach the heat radiating fins 241 and the base plate 242 to the fixed plate 245, which are subjected to solder-joint with a furnace to complete manufacturing.

Incidentally, the fasteners 243 a, 234 b, and 244 a, 244 b respectively have a structure of a fixed pedestal with a spring incorporated therein. Thus, the heat radiating member 240 is pressed against heat radiating components by means of springs when fastened with screws. Such a structure is well known art and thus further explanation is omitted.

FIG. 15 shows heat generating components on the main circuit board 251.

FIG. 15 illustrates CPU 253 a and chipset 254 a disposed near the CPU 253 a that are heat generating components to be cooled by the heat radiating member 240 shown in FIG. 14. As the CPU 253 a generates larger amount of heat than the chipset 254 a, it is placed so as to be efficiently cooled by the heat radiating member 240. More particularly, the CPU 253 a is disposed under the base plate 242, so that heat generated by the CPU 253 a is conducted via the base plate 242 to the heat radiating fins 241 from the bottom thereof. On the other hand, the chipset 254 a is disposed under one of arm plates 243, 244 (in this case the arm plate 243), so that heat generated by the chipset 254 a is conducted via the fixed plate 245 to the heat radiating fins 241 from the top thereof.

FIG. 16 illustrates two heat generating components, that is, the CPU 253 a and the chipset 254 a, and a bottom face of the heat radiating member 240 that contacts the heat generating components.

The heat radiating member 240 is arranged on the CPU 253 a and the chipset 254 a so as to be in contact with them via thermal grease. When the heat radiating member 240 is attached to the CPU 253 a and the chipset 254 a by screwing the fasteners 243 a, 243 b and 244 a, 244 b of the arm plates 243, 244 in the four respective holes 251 a, 251 b and 251 c, 251 d formed in the main circuit board 251, a substantial center “a” of the CPU 253 a contacts a substantial center “a′” of the base plate 242 of the heat radiating member 240, while a substantial center “b” of the chipset 254 a contacts a substantial center “b′” having a downward projection of the arm plate 243. The downward projection of the arm plate 243 will be described later in detail.

FIG. 17 show positional relation between a CPU and a chipset different from that shown in FIGS. 15 and 16

The notebook PC 10 according to the embodiment (see FIG. 1) includes two kinds of notebook PCs mounted with two kinds of CPUs and chipsets of different manufacturers. FIGS. 15 and 16 show positional relation between CPU 253 b and chipset 254 b of a first kind of the notebook PCs while FIG. 17 shows that of a second kind of the notebook PC.

The difference of positional relation between the CPU 253 b and the chipset 254 b between FIGS. 15, 16 and FIG. 17 lies in that the position of the CPU 253 a is roughly replaced with the chipset 254 a.

FIG. 18 illustrates two heat generating components, that is, the CPU 253 b and the chipset 254 b, and a bottom face of the heat radiating member that contacts the heat generating components.

Similarly to the notebook PC 10 shown in FIG. 16, the heat radiating member 240 is arranged on the CPU 253 b and the chipset 254 b so as to be in contact with them via thermal grease. When the heat radiating member 240 is attached to the CPU 253 b and the chipset 254 b by screwing the fasteners 243 a, 243 b and 244 a, 244 b of the arm plates 243, 244 in the four respective holes 251 a, 251 b and 251 c, 251 d formed in the main circuit board 251, a substantial center “c” of the CPU 253 b contacts a substantial center “c′” of the base plate 242 of the heat radiating member 240, while a substantial center “d” of the chipset 254 b contacts a substantial center “d′” of the arm plate 244.

The height of the chipset 254 a with reference to that of the CPU 253 a, in the first kind of the notebook PC shown in FIG. 16, differs from the height of the chipset 254 b with reference to that of the CPU 253 b in the second kind of the notebook PC shown in FIG. 18. That is why the arm plate 243 constituting the heat radiating member 240 has the downward projection 243 c to offset difference in height between the chipsets 254 a and 254 b so that the heat radiating member 240 can contact both the chipsets 254 a and 254 b.

According to the embodiment, the heat radiating member 240 has such a structure that difference in height between the CPU 253 a and 253 b is offset by the amount of contraction and extension of the springs of the fasteners 243 a, 243 b and 244 a, 244 b, while difference in height between the chipsets 254 a and 254 b is offset by the shape of the arm plate 243.

Such a structure enables the heat radiating member 240 of the same shape to be used for the two kinds of notebook PCs, by aligning the holes 251 a, 251 b and 251 c, 251 d formed in the main circuit board 251 of the notebook PC 10 with the fasteners 243 a, 243 b and 244 a, 244 b of the arm plates 243, 244 of the heat radiating member 240.

(Structure of Hard Disc Drive Unit Loading Opening Portion)

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a bottom face of the main unit 20 of the notebook PC 10.

FIG. 19 shows a cover member 261 for closing the hard disc drive unit loading opening, a cover member 262 for closing a battery loading opening and a cover member 263 for closing a memory card loading opening.

FIG. 20 shows the bottom face of the main unit 20 of the notebook PC shown in FIG. 19, with the cover member 261 for closing the hard disc drive unit loading opening removed therefrom.

As shown in FIG. 20, an opening 265 for housing a hard disc drive unit 270 is formed in the bottom face of the main unit 20 and the hard disc drive unit 270 is housed therein.

FIG. 21 is an enlarged view of the opening 265 and the hard disc drive unit 270 housed therein.

In order to remove the hard disc drive unit 270 from the opening 265, two screws 264 a and 264 b are first to be disengaged to pull a sheet 271 in the direction indicated by the arrow A, thereby disengaging a unit side connector 273 (see FIG. 22), which will be described later. Then, the hard disc drive unit 270 is ready to be removed from the opening 265. Alternatively, in order to house the hard disc drive unit 270 in the opening 265, the hard disc drive unit 270 is first to be placed on a position little displaced from the position indicated by FIG. 21 toward the direction indicated by the arrow A. Then, pressing the hard disc drive unit 270 in the direction opposite the direction indicated by the arrow A causes the unit side connector 273 to be engaged and then, by screwing the hard disc drive unit 270 with the two screws 264 a and 264 b, the hard disc drive unit 270 is appropriately housed in the opening 265.

It should be noted that the opening 265 has a pair of projections 266 a and 266 b projecting inside and disposed at both sides thereof. The projections 266 a and 266 b interfere with the hard disc drive unit 270, if the unit side connector 273 is to be engaged while the back end (opposite the unit side connector 273) of the hard disc drive unit 270 is lifted obliquely or the whole of the hard disc drive unit 270 is lifted from the level of the opening 265. Thus, the projections 266 a and 266 b prevent wrong connection of the unit side connector 273 and failures such as bent back connector pins. Additionally, the opening 265 has projections 267 a, 267 b, and 268 a, 268 b disposed at both sides thereof that serve for engaging the cover member 261 (see FIGS. 19 and 31) for the opening 265.

FIGS. 22 through 24 illustrate the hard disc drive unit 270 as viewed from different angles from that in FIG. 21. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the unit side connector 273 provided in the hard disc drive unit 270.

As shown in FIGS. 22 through 24, the hard disc drive unit 270 is provided with a metal frame 272 that is fastened to the hard disc drive unit 270 with screws in the side portions thereof that are formed by extending the metal frame 272 and bending it at the both edges. The metal frame 272 serves for maintaining strength of the hard disc drive unit 270 as well as shielding electromagnetic force of its internal hard disc and magnetic disc. Multiple holes formed in the metal frame 272 are intended for reduction in weight while maintaining strength and shielding performance.

Additionally, the metal frame 272 also serves for preventing wrong engagement of the unit side connector 273. When the unit side connector 273 is to be engaged while the hard disc drive unit 270 is in undesired postures, for example, lifted obliquely as described above, interfering sections 272 a and 272 b of the metal frame 272 interfere with the projections 266 a and 266 b of the opening 265.

Further, the hard disc drive unit 270 is provided with the unit side connector 273 at the front end thereof. As shown in FIG. 25, the unit side connector 273 has multiple connection pins 273 a aligned in two rows.

FIG. 26 shows an apparatus side connector 269 that is to be connected with the unit side connector 273 provided in the hard disc drive unit 270.

The apparatus side connector 269 has multiple pin insertion holes 269 a aligned in two rows to receive the corresponding connection pins 273 a aligned in two rows of the unit side connector 273 provided in the hard disc drive unit 270.

FIG. 27 is a perspective view of one side of the opening 265 in which the hard disc drive unit 270 is housed.

As shown in FIG. 27, the side of the opening 265 is configured such that the metal frame 272 (see FIG. 22) goes under the projection 266 a disposed at the side of the opening 265 when the hard disc drive unit 270 is housed in the opening 265. The same holds true for the projection 266 b at the other side of the opening 265.

FIGS. 28 and 29 show the state in which the hard disc drive unit 270 is about to be housed in the correct position in the opening 265.

The hard disc drive unit 270 is placed in the position indicated in FIGS. 28 and 29, and pressed in the direction indicated by the arrow B, thereby making the unit side connector 273 to be engaged with the apparatus side connector 269. As the hard disc drive unit 270 is placed in the correct position, the interfering sections 272 a, 272 b of the metal frame 272 of the hard disc drive unit 270 do not interfere with the projections 266 a and 266 b provided in the opening 265, so that the hard disc drive unit 270 goes under the projections 266 a and 266 b.

FIG. 30 shows the state in which the hard disc drive unit 270 with its back obliquely lifted is placed in the opening 265.

If the hard disc drive unit 270 is pushed in the direction indicated by the arrow B while keeping the posture shown in FIG. 30, the interfering section 272 a, 272 b interfere with the projections 266 a, 266 b, resulting in failure of engagement between the unit side connector 273 and the apparatus side connector 269. Thus, it is possible to prevent failures such as bent-back of the connection pins 273 a due to forced engagement.

FIG. 30 shows the case in which the back of the hard disc drive unit 270 is obliquely lifted. However, the same holds true for the case in which the whole of the hard disc drive unit 270 is lifted from the opening 265 in a horizontal posture. Further, there may be a case in which the connection pins 273 a aligned in the lower row of the unit side connector 273 are inserted in the insertion holes 269 a aligned in the upper row of the apparatus side connector 269. In such a case, however, the interfering section 272 a, 272 b are to be positioned over the projections 266 a, 266 b, and thus the hard disc drive unit 270 cannot be housed in the opening 265 nor the cover member 261 (see FIG. 19) for closing the opening 265 can be attached. Accordingly, it is easy to grasp that the hard disc drive unit 270 is not properly housed in the opening 265, making it possible to prevent such a wrong engagement. Additionally, there may be a case that the hard disc drive unit 270 is lifted so obliquely that the interfering section 272 a, 272 b can go over the projections 266 a, 266 b, and the connection pins 273 a aligned in the lower row of the unit side connector 273 can be forcibly inserted in the insertion holes 269 a aligned in the upper row of the apparatus side connector 269. In such a case, however, the interfering section 272 a, 272 b are to be positioned over the projections 266 a, 266 b, and thus the hard disc drive unit 270 cannot be housed in the opening 265 nor the cover member 261 (see FIG. 19) for closing the opening 265 can be attached. Accordingly, it is easy to grasp that the hard disc drive unit 270 is not properly housed in the opening 265.

When the hard disc drive unit 270 is housed in the opening 265 in the correct position, the interfering section 272 a, 272 b are positioned under the projections 266 a, 266 b. Accordingly, when the hard disc drive unit 270 is removed from the opening 265, it is not possible to lift the back of the hard disc drive unit 270 before releasing the engagement between the connectors 269 and 273. Thus, it is possible to secure that the unit side connector 273 is properly pulled from the apparatus side connector 269.

FIG. 31 shows a back face of the cover member 261 for closing the opening 265 in which the hard disc drive unit 270 is housed.

On the back face of the cover member 261, disposed are two projections 301 a, 301 b projecting toward the depth of the opening 265 (see FIG. 21), two projecting claws 302 a and 302 b engaging the two projections 267 a and 267 b that are disposed at both sides of the opening 265 and projecting inside thereof, and two engaging claws 303 a, 303 b engaging the two projections 268 a, 268 b that project from the back end of the opening 265. Additionally, the cover member 261 has a hole 304 formed at the back side thereof. The cover member 261 closes the opening 265, as shown in FIG. 19, by engaging the two projections 301 a, 301 b, the projecting claws 302 a, 302 b, and the engaging claws 303 a, 303 b of the cover member 261 with the corresponding parts of the opening 265 and by screwing in the hole 304.

(Structure of PC Card Slot)

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of the PC card slot 280, FIG. 33 is a perspective view of the PC card slot 280 shown in FIG. 32, with the lower cover member shown in FIG. 6 opened.

The PC card slot 280 is disposed in the housing of the notebook PC 10 inside the PC card loading opening 216 (see FIG. 6) formed in the flank of the right side of the notebook PC 10, such that it faces the PC card loading opening 216. The PC card slot 280 is consisted of a metal frame and configured to accommodate two PC cards vertically which are inserted in the PC card loading opening 216. A circuit board mounted with circuits for accessing a PC card inserted in the PC card slot 280 is provided under the PC card slot 280. An insulation sheet 2801, whose front end 2801 a extends close to the PC card loading opening 216 (see FIG. 6), is spread between the circuit board and the PC card slot 280 of metal frame for securing electrical insulation therebetween.

As described in FIG. 6, the PC card loading opening 216 is configured such that the upper and lower cover members 217 and 218 are openably closed. A PC card is received by the PC card loading opening 216 as follows: when a PC card is inserted into the PC card loading opening 216, the upper cover member 217 is pressed by the front end of the PC card and rotated such that the upper cover member 217 is lifted up around the top edge 217 a thereof; when the lower cover member 218 is pressed by the front end of the PC card, the lower cover member 218 is rotated such that the lower cover member 218 goes down around the bottom edge 218 a thereof.

FIG. 33 shows the state that the lower cover member 218 of the two cover members for closing the PC card loading opening 216 is opened. The opened cover member 218 covers the front end 2801 a of the insulation sheet 2801, which prevents the PC card inserted in the PC card loading opening 216 from abutting the front end 2801 a of the insulation sheet 2801 and thus the insulation sheet 2801 from being turned up.

FIG. 34 compares the PC card slot (A) according to the embodiment of the notebook PC of the invention with a typical example of the conventional PC card slot (B).

In the case of the typical conventional PC card slot (B), the front end of the insulation sheet 2801 is adhered onto a circuit board thereunder by using a double side tape. The front end of the circuit board is flush with the front end 2801 a of the insulation sheet 2801. Thus, if a PC card is inserted downward and obliquely, the front end of the PC card abuts the front end 2801 a of the insulation sheet 2801. Frequent occurrence of such abutting causes the front end 2801 a of the insulation sheet 2801 to be turned up and thereby damaging the circuit board by the front end of the PC card, leading to malfunction of the apparatus.

On the other hand, in the notebook PC of the embodiment, the circuit board is shorter relative to the typical conventional PC card slot (B), as indicated by dotted lines in FIG. 34 (A), and the insulation sheet 2801 is extended closer to the PC card loading opening 216 (see FIG. 6). Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 32, the front end 2801 a of the insulation sheet 2801 is covered by the downwardly opened cover member 218, which prevents the insulation sheet 2801 from being turned up and thereby prevents damage of the circuit board. Additionally, the need to adhere the insulation sheet 2801 onto the circuit board is eliminated, resulting in decrease in the number of assembly works.

(Structure of Disc Drive Unit)

FIG. 35 is a perspective view of the disc drive unit 220 with the top cover of the housing of the main unit 20 of the notebook PC 10 removed therefrom.

The disc drive unit 220, as shown in FIG. 7, is inserted from the opening formed in the left-side flank of the housing of the main unit 20 to be housed therein.

FIG. 36 shows a disc drive unit accommodating section to accommodate the disc drive unit 220, FIG. 37 shows one side-end of the disc drive unit accommodating section 310, and FIG. 38 shows the other side-end thereof.

The disc drive unit 220 is accommodated in the disc drive unit accommodating section 310 while guided by rails 311, 312 in the both sides thereof and inserted into the position where a connector (not shown) of the disc drive unit 220 is engaged with an apparatus side connector 313. The face of the inserted disc drive unit 220 becomes flush with that of the housing of the main unit 20 of the notebook PC 10 as shown in FIG. 7.

The main circuit board 251 (see FIG. 38) and a sub circuit board 320 (see FIG. 36) are disposed at the both sides of the disc drive unit accommodating section 310. Thus, a flat cable 321 for electrically connecting the main circuit board 251 and the sub circuit board 320 is laid across the disc drive unit accommodating section 310. The flat cable 321 may be a flexible wiring board. The flat cable 321 is arranged under the disc drive unit 220 after the disc drive unit 220 is accommodated in the disc drive unit accommodating section 310. Thus, without taking any precaution, the disc drive unit 220 inserted into the disc drive unit accommodating section 310 may be caught on the flat cable 321, leading to failures such as disconnection. Therefore, a sheet 322 is provided such that the flat cable 321 is wrapped by the sheet 322 folded back at a position close to the opening for the disc drive unit 220. The sheet 322 is adhered to a face of the disc drive unit accommodating section 310 at a position away from the opening for the disc drive unit 220 by using an adhesive tape 323.

As the flat cable 321 is wrapped by the sheet 322, it is possible to prevent the disc drive unit 220 inserted into the disc drive unit accommodating section 310 from being caught on the flat cable 321 and thus occurrence of failures such as disconnection can be prevented.

FIG. 39 shows a sheet to be spread under the sub circuit board 320, with the sub circuit board 320 and the flat cable 321 removed therefrom.

An insulation sheet 324 is spread under the sub circuit board 320 for insulating electrical connection between the sub circuit board 320 and the housing of the main unit 20. It should be noted that the sheet 322, which wraps the flat cable 321 as shown in FIGS. 36 and 37, is formed by extending the insulation sheet 324. This suppresses increase in the number of the components.

FIG. 40 shows an insulation sheet that is spread under the main and sub circuit boards 251, 320, with the circuit boards 251, 320 removed therefrom.

An insulation sheet 325 is laid under the main circuit board 251. The insulation sheet 324 laid under the sub circuit board 320 and the insulation sheet 325 laid under the main circuit board 251 overlap at least at the front end 324 a of the insulation sheet 324 that extends across the disc drive unit accommodating section 310 to the side of the main circuit board 251.

According to the embodiment, it is intended to prevent the disc drive unit 220 inserted in the disc drive unit accommodating section 310 from being caught on the flat cable 321, by using the insulation sheet 324 for the sub circuit board 320 to wrap the flat cable 321 running across the disc drive unit accommodating section 310.

Next, description will be made on a modification of the notebook PC that has been explained so far.

Except the features described below, this modification is identical with the notebook PC that has been described.

FIG. 41 is an enlarged view of a portion at the back of the keyboard on the top face of the main unit of the notebook PC 10. FIG. 41 corresponds to FIG. 9 of the afore-mentioned embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 41, the width W1 between grooves that receive the cover member 28 shown in FIG. 1 is wider than the width W2 of the opening 231. Further, edge portions 239 a and 239 b that define the opening 231 of the main unit extend to a position inside the grooves such that the edge portions 239 a and 239 b are overlapped by the cover member 28 when closed and the opening 231 is located inside the grooves in the width direction.

When the cover member 28 is placed in the grooves to close the opening 231, the cover member 28 overlaps the edge portions 239 a and 239 b. If, for example, the cover member 28 does not overlap the edge portions 239 a and 239 b, foreign matter may enter the apparatus from a gap between the cover member 28 and the edge portions 239 a and 239 b of the opening 231. Additionally, air from the fan 250 (see FIG. 10) to the air inlet portion 241 a of the heat radiating fins 241 may leak out from the gap. However, this modification can eliminate such possibilities.

FIG. 42 illustrates the same portion as shown in FIG. 41 that further exposes the air inlet portion of the heat radiating fins by removing part of the housing of the main unit. FIG. 43 shows an air passage from the fan with the keyboard removed from the main unit.

Air guide walls 238 a and 238 b are formed at both ends of the air inlet portion 241 a of the heat radiating fins 241 that constitutes the heat radiating member 240. The air guide walls 238 a and 238 b serve to prevent air from the fan 250 (see FIG. 43) from leaking out off the heat radiating member 240.

Here, the length L1 of the opening 231 shown in FIG. 41 is shorter than the distance L2 between the air guide walls 238 a and 238 b of the air inlet portion 241 a. Thus, the opening 241 is formed within the area sandwiched between the air guide walls 238 a and 238 b.

If, for example, the opening 231 is so wide that the air guide walls 238 a and 238 b can be seen from the opening 231, a gap is formed between the air guide walls 238 a,238 b and the back surface of the cover member even when the opening 231 is closed by the cover member. Consequently, air from the fan may enter the housing through the gap, which results in entrance of the dust accompanying the air into the housing as well as downgraded coolability as part of air from the fan leaks out.

On the other hand, in this modification, edge portions 239 c and 239 d of the main unit housing that define the opening 231 extend to a position over the air guide walls 238 a and 238 b, so that the opening 241 is restrictively formed within the area sandwiched between the air guide walls 238 a and 238 b.

Thus, it is possible to prevent leakage of air from the fan and carriage of the dust into the housing as well as downgrading of coolability. 

1. An apparatus comprising: a heat generating component; a heat radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat generating component and radiates heat; a fan that sends air toward the heat radiating member; a housing incorporating the heat generating component, the heat radiating member and the fan, and including a first opening that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating member to an outside and a second opening that exposes an air inlet portion of the heat radiating member in which air from the fan enters; and a cover member that is detachably attached to the housing and covers the second opening, wherein the first opening is formed in one side of the housing and the second opening is formed in a top face of the housing.
 2. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an air guide wall that is provided at each of both ends of the air inlet portion, guides air from the fan to the air inlet portion and prevents the air from leaking out off the heat radiating member, wherein the edge portion defining the second opening of the housing extends to a position over the air guide walls such that the second opening is restrictedly formed within an area sandwiched between the air guide walls at both ends of the air inlet portion.
 3. An apparatus comprising: a heat generating component; a heat radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat generating component and radiates heat; a fan that sends air toward the heat radiating member; a housing incorporating the heat generating component, the heat radiating member and the fan, and including a first opening that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating member to an outside and a second opening that exposes an air inlet portion of the heat radiating member in which air from the fan enters; and a cover member that is detachably attached to the housing and covers the second opening, wherein the housing has an opening for holding the cover member, the opening being formed at a position covered by the cover member, and the cover member has a projection that engages in the opening so as to be held therein, the projection being formed on a face of the cover member facing the housing when attached to the housing.
 4. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cover member is manually attached and detached.
 5. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the housing has a recess that has space for a finger or a fingernail to hold the cover member attached to the housing.
 6. The apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the cover member is formed so as to be wider than the second opening of the housing such that the cover member overlaps an edge portion that defines the second opening.
 7. A data processing apparatus that processes data comprising: a heat generating component; a heat radiating member that absorbs heat from the heat generating component and radiates heat; a fan that sends air toward the heat radiating member; a housing incorporating the heat generating component, the heat radiating member and the fan, and including a keyboard for input operation arranged on a top face thereof, a first opening that discharges air warmed up by the heat radiating member to outside, the first opening formed in one side thereof, and a second opening that exposes an air inlet portion of the heat radiating member in which air from the fan enters, the second opening formed in a top face thereof; and a cover member that is detachably attached to the housing and covers the second opening.
 8. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the first opening is formed in the side facing a back of the housing and the second opening is formed in the top face of the housing at a position behind the keyboard.
 9. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cover member is manually attached and detached.
 10. The data processing apparatus according to claim 9, wherein the fan is arranged at least partially under the keyboard and the heat radiating member is arranged at a position at the back of the keyboard, and a top face of the heat radiating member is located higher than a top face of the fan.
 11. The data processing apparatus according to claim 10, further comprising a metal plate that spreads over the top face of the fan and the top face of the heat radiating member and is configured such that a portion thereof for covering the top face of the heat radiating member is raised to match the height of the heat radiating member, wherein the keyboard is arranged on the metal plate.
 12. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the housing has an opening for holding the cover member, the opening being formed at a position covered by the cover member, and the cover member has a projection that engages in the opening so as to be held therein, the projection being formed in a face of the cover member facing the housing when attached to the housing.
 13. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the housing has a recess that has space for a finger or a fingernail to hold the cover member attached to the housing.
 14. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising a second housing in addition to the housing serving as a first housing, the second housing being connected through a hinge to the first housing at the back of the first housing such that the second housing is openable and closable relative to the first housing, and has a display screen that displays an image.
 15. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the cover member is formed so as to be wider than the second opening of the housing such that the cover member overlaps an edge portion that defines the second opening.
 16. The data processing apparatus according to claim 7, further comprising an air guide wall that is provided at each of both ends of the air inlet portion, guides air from the fan to the air inlet portion and prevents the air from leaking out off the heat radiating member, wherein the edge portion defining the second opening of the housing extends to a position over the air guide walls such that the second opening is restrictedly formed within an area sandwiched between the air guide walls at both ends of the air inlet portion. 